Farmers' unrest in Noida: Congress demands judicial probe

New Delhi, May 9: Congress today (May 9) hit out at the Uttar Pradesh government saying Mayawati's "greed" was responsible for the violence concerning land acquisition agitations in Noida and demanded a judicial enquiry into the entire episode.

"Mayawati government has been extremely insensitive to the cause of farmers and the poor in recent years. Instead of talking to farmers and taking them into confidence, it has been taking violent action against the agitating farmers. We demand a judicial inquiry into the incident.

"The greed of Mayawati has overtaken her sensible decisions. The whole government is up for grabs for those who have money to spend and who have capacity to fill the personal coffers of the chief minister," AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh told reporters here.

Singh, party in-charge for UP which is going to Assembly polls early next year, said Congress condemns the way farmers are being treated in Uttar Pradesh.

"The state government is giving land to big industrial houses by snatching it away from farmers. The farmers were sitting on dharna for last four months but it did not pay heed. Their demands were genuine and the entire responsibility for this fiasco is on the ruling BSP," he said.

Singh said that the state government should discuss the issue with farmers.

"I urge upon everyone to shun the cause of violence and bring peace in the area...The affected villagers should also be given compensation," he said.

PTI